Improvement in fifth-wheels



2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. SKBBN. I FIFTH WHEEL.

No,115,245...` Patented May 23, 1871;'

Inv-enig?.

l' v l2 Sheets-Sheet 2. J'. SKEBN.-

` FIFTH WHEEL. NO; 115,245.. l y Patented May 23, 1871.

Inventor. y

i 63mm L Y iva. y

THE ncnms PzrERs co.. mcm-Llmomwnsmum'ou. n. a

. perch Letters Patent No. 115,245, dated May 23, 1871.'

ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIFTH-WHEELS.

The ached-ula referred to in these LettersPatent and making part of the name.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB SKEEN, of Mound City, in the county of Pulaski and in the State of Illinois, have inventedtcertain new and useful Improvements in` Fifth-Wheels; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing making a part of this specifica-tion, in which- Figurelv'is aztopaplan View` of l'my device adapted for use with side springs and without a perch;

Figure 2, a top plau'view of a modification-ot' the same, adapted for use with a single spring and with a Figure 3, a front elevation of fig. 1;

Figure 4, a vertical cross-section on the line a: :v of "-15 bFigure 5, a front elevation of (ig. 2; and

Figure 6, a vertical cross-section on line y y of provided with arms and 4shackle-bars cast in-` one piece; in an annular upper ring, provided with certain yokes; and in combining with the ring rst described a truss for therpnrpose of giving it greater strength, all constructed of cast metal, as and for the purposes hereinafter more fully set forth and explained.

In the annexed drawing- A represents the fth-wheel as a whole, shown in figs.

1, 3,'and 4, which is of an annular form, with the upper and lower sides in parallel planes with two extended. H

oppositeIarins, upon the' same upper and lower planes as the annular portion before named.

Of this fifth-wheel the principal and lower ring B,

thearms C, the shackle-bars D, and the truss-studs E are constructed in one piece. p v

The central circular' opening is' represented bythe letter F. Y

Half of the ring B is cnt away upon the top and in front, into which a segment, G, is tted, having its ends made with` a' downward bevel at a, to it into corresponding bevels in the ring I5.

A dange, l), extends from the lower part ot said ring,

. encircling the opening F.

Directly above this dange a groove, c,'is cut into the Vring entirely aroundit, and around segment (3,30

that wheny the last-named portion is fitted upon said ring the groove forms a continuons uniform circle.

Upon the central part of the ring B is a lip, d, and upon the segment G a corresponding lip, d'; through a proper opening in' each a screw, e, passes, which secures the segment in piace upon the ring;

From points near the ends of the arms G, the

` shackle-bars D extend forward, provided with suitable eyes, to which the hounds are attached.

Upon the under sides ofthe ring B are truss-studs E, over which passes the'truss-rod H, the ends of which rod pass up into the arms O and out through their ends, where they are threaded and secured by proper nuts j, under one or both of' which are elastic washers g, to allow for expansion and contraction.

An upper ring, I, provided with yoke-studs h, is made in one piece, having a flange, fi, upon its upper part, covering the top of the ring B, and a iiange, j, upon its lower portion, corresponding with and fitting into the groove c, before spoken of'. I

Upop the tops of the studs h are the yokes K, arranged as shown in fig. 1, securedin place-nymeans of suitable screws, passing in each instance down through one end ot'two contiguous yokes.

'Ihetops of the yokes are flattened at k, and there provided with suitable openings l, bymeans of which theunder part of the carriage is secured to the tops of said yokes.

Ordinary elliptic side springs are secured upon the under sides of the ends of4 the arms O, so that said springs shall be in line with the carriage lengthwise.

In the construction of this fifth-wheel it will be seen viz., the screw c,'securcs the wh'ole in place, that the separate parts are light and yet strong, strength .being imparted by the yokes K, as well as by the truss-rod In the modification of my device, shown particularly in figs. 2, 5, and', no truss-redis used, andthe yokes K are made in one piece with the upper ring.

On the under side of the arms are clips L, by means of which the ifth-wheelis secured to the axle of the carriage.

Upon the top of the yokes is a reeessm, rprovided with an opening, n, for .the purpose of receiving 'and securing a single elliptic spring crosswise of the carria e.

he yokelt the rea-r has a groove, c; provided with suitable openings, -into which the forward end at thc reach is secured. Y

Theoperation of the device nrst described, and or its modilicatiou does not seemto require any explanaiiatnd (tie,

tion in addition to that already given in the description.

All parts of each are intended to'be of cast-steel or malleable iron, except the truss-rod and bolts or screws, and the upper parts of each are interchangeable.'

Having thus explained my invention,

What I claim as new therein is- 1. The ring B, provided with arms O and shacklebars D cast in one piece, constructed and arranged substantially as described and shown.

2. The ring I, provided with yokes K, constructed and arranged substantially as described and shown.

3. In combination with the ring B, the truss-rod H, constructed and arranged substantially as described and shown.

In testimony that I'elaim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of April, 1871.

Witnesses: J AGOB SKEEN.

GEO. S. PmNnLE, EDM. E. BROWN. 

